Kannur (Keralam) | CPI(M) leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan, on Saturday criticised SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan over his remarks against party leader and former Keralam Assembly speaker A N Shamseer.

Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Natesan, in an event in Alappuzha on Friday, criticised Shamseer, alleging that he was not a true Communist but had the mindset of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

He had said that senior leaders such as Vijayan had reached their present positions after undergoing years of struggle and sacrifice, while Shamseer had risen to leadership without facing similar struggles.

At a press conference in Thrissur on Saturday, Vijayan said that Natesan's remark is completely absurd.

"No leader in the CPI(M) becomes a leader through shortcuts. Anyone becomes a leader as a mark of recognition through long years of organisational work," he said.

He said that the party rejects such remarks.

"Furthermore, the party rejects such assessments being made in front of the public as immature," he said.

Natesan's good relations with Vijayan while he was the Keralam chief minister were criticised by opposition parties.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) Kannur district secretary KK Ragesh, in a Facebook post, said Natesan appeared to believe that an entire Ezhava community thought and acted according to what he said and alleged that his remarks often sought to create communal divisions.

Ragesh alleged that Natesan's remarks against Shamseer were rooted in his "communal hatred" and said the CPI(M) leader had faced attacks from both Hindu and Muslim communal forces while continuing his political activities.

"Shamseer had entered organisational activities through the student movement and had been elected twice as a legislator from Thalassery. He also served as Speaker in the second Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet," Ragesh said.

Ragesh said the CPI(M) had already completed its democratic assessment of the recent Assembly elections, from the lower-level party units to the central committee, and had a clear understanding of how it should work among the people.

"We have not invited the opinion of any communalist into this process and will not accept their advice or instructions," he said.

Ragesh said the party was continuously engaging with people against the "fascist government at the Centre" and the UDF government in Keralam, which he alleged was supporting the Centre's policies.

He termed Natesan's stand against Shamseer "despicable" and called for strong public protest against baseless allegations and "dirty propaganda" against party leaders